SOAR INTO READING

GRADE 8

This program is not offered in 2002-2003

           Your child will be taking part in a reading class that is part of his/her enrichment cycle.  Each enrichment class lasts for 20 consecutive days and lasts for 80 minutes per day.  ALL   eighth graders take part in this program throughout the course of the year.  This course is titled reading, however, it is a reading class with a twist !!

             Many people define reading in a very traditional sense.  To many, reading is decoding, or sitting down and reading various novels.  The skill of reading is much more involved, and at a middle school level it must be more than the above definition.

             The theme unit in eighth grade reading class is careers.  During the four weeks we are together, students will be expected to use reading, writing, decision-making, research and study skills.  Career related readings are ever present during this four week class.

               Much of the material in this class is student-centered and based on individual needs.    Many assignments are designed to focus on student strengths and weaknesses.   Discovering these areas of strengths, and areas that must be mastered, help students to realize and develop individual goals.

                All the skills mentioned above will be used to develop a project which is based around a career of the student's choosing.  This project allows students to explore future goals as well as to put into practice all the necessary reading skills that are integral to high student performance.  Their final project will be a PowerPoint computer presentation.

                Many students find this project very helpful.  It begins to focus students on goals for high school and decisions that must be made in the near future.  It is very important for students to have a focus and a strong background in reading.  As we all know the work place is changing rapidly as is the face of education as WE   knew it.  With strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills, along with individual goals, our students will have a bright future to look forward to.

Click here for internet sites that support this career unit.

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            This page was written by Mrs. Perla-Mullins, Reading Specialist, in October, 1998.